What is the fundamental difference between smoothbore and rifled weapons

  • Jun 30, 2022
What is the fundamental difference between smoothbore and rifled weapons

Even those who are not interested in firearms from the word “absolutely” should know that it comes with a smooth and rifled barrel. When you first meet different representatives of the two families, it may seem that rifled weapons are much better. In this light, a logical question arises: if one type of barrel is better than another, then why is the second needed at all? However, is everything as simple as it seems?

A smooth barrel is good in its own way. Photo: popgun.ru.
A smooth barrel is good in its own way. / Photo: popgun.ru.
A smooth barrel is good in its own way. / Photo: popgun.ru.

In fact, people thought of rifling in the bore almost immediately after the appearance of the first samples of mass firearms back in the 16th century. Why are cuts needed at all? The rifling in the bore is needed to give the charge in the bore a rotational motion (to achieve a gyroscopic effect, like a top toy). Thanks to him, the best stability of the flight path is achieved. As a result, the range and accuracy of fire is increasing. However, until the 19th century, mass production of rifled weapons was extremely costly. That is why the first primitive rifled guns - fittings were the lot of only a small number of field snipers of that era, light infantry of the Jaeger type.

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A rifled barrel gives better accuracy and range. /Photo: getwallpapers.com.
A rifled barrel gives better accuracy and range. /Photo: getwallpapers.com.

With the development of industry, the production of rifled weapons went on stream. Due to better accuracy and firing range, it almost completely replaced smooth-bore weapons in the armies of the largest countries already at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the rifled barrel has one huge disadvantage: it actually does not allow the use of any other ammunition, except for cartridges from a cartridge case with a powder charge and a bullet. That is why smooth trunks are still relevant.

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The smooth barrel allows the use of special ammunition. /Photo: tr.pinterest.com.
The smooth barrel allows the use of special ammunition. /Photo: tr.pinterest.com.

Smoothbore weapons allow the use of a wide range of "special" ammunition. It's not just classic heavy bullets or hunting shot. It should not be forgotten that only smooth-bore weapons allow the use of, for example, rubber, gas or feathered ammunition (for example, veterinary medicine ampoules). At the same time, smooth barrels are easier and cheaper to produce, which is why they are very popular in the field of sports and hunting weapons. The range and accuracy of fire of smooth-bore weapons is lower, but shots from it ricochet noticeably less often. So it will not lose its relevance for a very long time, even despite all the apparent superiority of the rifled barrel in many technical parameters.

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Each trunk has its own task. /Photo: borzyedon.ru.
Each trunk has its own task. /Photo: borzyedon.ru.

In continuation of the topic, read about buckshot and shrapnel: what is the difference between such similar concepts.
Source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/080422/62660/